Trinder: Gloucester Rugby have learnt their lesson

October 11, 2015

00:00

Following a heartbreaking end to the 2014/15 season, Gloucester centre Henry Trinder believes they have a point to prove in the upcoming Aviva Premiership Rugby campaign.

After lifting the European Rugby Challenge Cup in May, Gloucester missed the chance to qualify for the Champions Cup with an agonising one-point defeat to Bordeaux-Begles, as Pierre Bernard sailed over a drop goal in the final action of the play-off.

And Trinder has revealed much of their pre-season work has been focused on ensuring similar opportunities are not squandered again.

“In the Champions Cup play-off we controlled the game for the first 60 minutes and it came down to that one kick which is typical,” said Trinder, set to embark upon his ninth season with the Cherry & Whites.

“That is something we have been working on, becoming a team that can win games and if we do get a lead holding on to those and not taking our foot off the pedal.

“There were a few games where we lost like that at the death last season in the Premiership and if you win four or five of those you are in a completely different place.

“We are looking to be a bit more critical at times on ourselves, making sure we are hard on ourselves, making sure we do not miss opportunities and keep letting games slip.

“That is what let us down last season and that is something we need to improve on.

“It was a horrible way to go but we have put that behind us now and we are trying to kick on.”

Trinder suffered a serious knee injury in February after coming back from shoulder and hamstring problems and is determined to keep out of the treatment room this term.

And the 26-year-old believes a reshuffle of the backroom staff can ensure there will be some fireworks at Kingsholm.

“Under the new coaches it has definitely kicked on,” Trinder added.

“I think we have had that transition season where we were getting used to the coaches, new systems, and new roles.

“We have added to that as we have brought people in to sort out our defence with Bill Meakes and Henry Purdy, I think it has kicked us on, we are looking at it in a positive light.

“We have bought into everything and we have had the time for it to all settle in. Nothing new now, we are in a better place mentally and physically in our game.

“That is something we have to use to our advantage for the upcoming season.”

The 2015-16 Aviva Premiership Rugby Season kicks off on 16 October. To see all of the fixtures click here.